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i think we would see it first in some kind of SE model imac. it would be a pretty cool trick, but i wouldn't hold my breath. this is at least a year away (probably), and considering that they can't get enough LCD's to fill current orders, then this would be a cool trick.

another possible addition could have the LCD being able to be written on. this would definately make a cool Special Edition model, with the ability to rotate the LCD and write on it. it would be even cooler if it was a 17" display, but then the display gets a little too big for rotating probably.

Well, I'd love to see a rotating screen, but when I look at my friends rotating lcds (iyamata, samsung) the mechanic needed is rather large, so I dunno if it is possible at all with the current design - but then, nobody has come up with the iMac neck design before, so maybe it is possible.

I cant believe it wasnt in the first design... </strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm guessing that arm was harder to design than most people give credit for. It's pretty fluid considering that it doesn't move when you're not touching it, and that it's meant to be used to pick up the machine...some great engineering at work. There just might not have been time to introduce yet another degree of freedom and decide how it would work....it would mean another wire to tell the computer what orientation the screen was in...figuring out how to make the screen lock in either position, making sure angles were right in manufacturing (they're even having a little trouble keeping them level as-is), software implementation in OS X to switch resolutions, etc...

I'm guessing that arm was harder to design than most people give credit for. It's pretty fluid considering that it doesn't move when you're not touching it, and that it's meant to be used to pick up the machine...some great engineering at work. There just might not have been time to introduce yet another degree of freedom and decide how it would work....it would mean another wire to tell the computer what orientation the screen was in...figuring out how to make the screen lock in either position, making sure angles were right in manufacturing (they're even having a little trouble keeping them level as-is), software implementation in OS X to switch resolutions, etc...

S</strong><hr></blockquote>

Good points Spiff.

Because Apple makes things look so easy to use, I think we take things for granted.

From Jon Rubenstein's comments, I gathered the impression that the neck was the most difficult part of the machine to design.

It's not simple, and its (patented) intricacy pretty much guarantees that we won't see the iMac knockoffs that pundits consider inevitable.

When I saw this thread I imagined a version of the iMac whose screen rotated like a fan to cool your face as you worked. The video hardware would continually rotate the desktop so that it appeared stable.

I'd rather see a larger display on the iMac than a rotating display. A rotating display doesn't fit with Apple's minimalist design ethics. It would introduce a great deal of complexity to an already complex design, with minimal returns on functionality. A larger LCD would provide more benefits, without all the extra engineering costs, and it would probably garner greater margins for Apple as well.

Because Apple makes things look so easy to use, I think we take things for granted.</strong><hr></blockquote>

[quote]Originally posted by Junkyard Dawg:

<strong>I'd rather see a larger display on the iMac than a rotating display. A rotating display doesn't fit with Apple's minimalist design ethics. It would introduce a great deal of complexity to an already complex design, with minimal returns on functionality. A larger LCD would provide more benefits, without all the extra engineering costs, and it would probably garner greater margins for Apple as well.</strong><hr></blockquote>

OH, Give me a break...!!!

Oh yeah that arm was a ground breaker!?

And having a twist joint on the end would just be technically impossible?????

Please...

I am sorry this is just not as difficult as everyone thinks it is... If they can get some cables to the LCD on this iBook2 thru these little joints, I am sure that they can put a swivel joint on the end of the screens arm... I am sure the little cables they would use to do this could twist 90 degrees in either direction...

the only reason they didnt use it on the first model is for the same reason the first iMacs were crap. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> ...$$$

The neck itself doesn't bother me, but the ends where it attaches to the screen and base seem a bit flimsy to me. You can jiggle bothends around...I'd feel more secure if there was less give at those joints.

<strong>A rotating display doesn't fit with Apple's minimalist design ethics. It would introduce a great deal of complexity to an already complex design, with minimal returns on functionality.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Complexity? what could be more simple than: "Hmm? this PDF document/web page looks awful. I wonder if I can?*Pop*?*Twist* *Clunk*? ahh. much better".

This was actually the first answer I thought of when I asked myself: "What could I do that would make it better?". I doubt Apple will do it any time soon. at least their doing <a href="http://www.trolltouch.com/&quot; target="_blank">my second answer</a>.

Complexity? what could be more simple than: "Hmm? this PDF document/web page looks awful. I wonder if I can?*Pop*?*Twist* *Clunk*? ahh. much better".

This was actually the first answer I thought of when I asked myself: "What could I do that would make it better?". I doubt Apple will do it any time soon. at least their doing <a href="http://www.trolltouch.com/&quot; target="_blank">my second answer</a>.

Eric,</strong><hr></blockquote>

:cool: ... Touch Screen iMac2 ... :cool:

that'd be cool...

But I would get cheetos finger all over my screen... <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

but, son of a bitch, they have removed ALL of the portfolio pieces they designed for apple computer (apple is still listed under their client list). basically, function designed all the interesting moving mechanical parts of the most recent apple designs. wonder why all the apple product shots were removed???

anyway, back before macworld san fran, they listed such engineering pieces as the spring/latch handle for the g4 cube, the swivel stand for the older apple crt displays, and the magnetic latch on the titanium g4 laptops.

gosh, i wonder who you should be mentioning this whole "swivel imac monitor" idea to. hint, hint...

Other things I might add are this <a href="http://www.nxt.co.uk/&quot; target="_blank">over-display transparent flat panel speaker</a> and this seamless <a href="http://www.dti3d.com/products.asp&quot; target="_blank">hybrid mono/stereoscopic 3D LCD</a>. both of which. while rarely spoken of right now. are out on the market at OK prices. and are. of course. really cool.